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Original poster

Nervous flyer.... best tips please!

17 replies

Thingsthatgo · 11/02/2023 12:18

I'm flying to Europe in a few weeks. The flight is only a couple of hours.
I've flown loads before, but since having kids I am increasingly nervous about it. Or maybe it's just getting older.
It's a work thing with some colleagues, so I don't want to seem a total wuss. I keep telling myself I'm safer in the plane than in the car on the way there.
Any tips (other than downing vodka!)?

OP posts:

Original poster

Thingsthatgo · 11/02/2023 15:01

Anyone....?

OP posts:

Boredofthislife · 11/02/2023 15:04

Gosh I don’t really have any tips I absolute love flying. I’ve never really thought about what it’s like to be scared of flying. What actually is it that makes you nervous?

LadyJ2023 · 11/02/2023 15:05

I adore flying if I could live on a plane I would take off amazing

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MyView2 · 11/02/2023 15:11

I had a period where I had a fear of flying and what helped me was reading about the process a bit more so I understood how the wind works with the plane flying etc. I also read that the first ten seconds of the plane taking off were the most dangerous (sorry if this doesn’t help) so got into the habit of counting to ten and could relax a bit more after that and it was only ten seconds. You already know that statistically it is the safest way to travel so bear that in mind too.

Leggingslife · 11/02/2023 15:11

Kalm tablets
Relaxing music
Deep breathing exercises

Winniewoooooooo · 11/02/2023 15:16

I flew alot pre kids. Every week. Never thought about it. Then had kids..... wham. Gibbering wreck. Ended up having hypnotherapy. It worked. Still slightly nervous but once I'm in the airport with everyone buzzing it's fine.
Good luck x

BlackCatTabbyCat · 11/02/2023 15:17

I am terrified of flying. I don't do myself any favours as I'm always reading or watching stuff about plane crashes it's like an obsession🙄. I haven't flown for years because I can't afford to and I won't be anytime soon but I follow a pilot on Tik Tok called flyman.simon and his videos are really informative and reassuring. If I was going on a plane soon I definitely think his videos would calm my nerves.

MTIH · 11/02/2023 15:46

I had two sessions of hypnotherapy. Been a game changer for me.

Original poster

Thingsthatgo · 11/02/2023 16:09

This is great. Thank you. @BlackCatTabbyCat I shall have a look for that pilot... that might help.
I shall also have a looks for some Kalms, I hadn't thought of them.
I'm not completely terrified, I just get intrusive thoughts about the plane crashing or a bomb, and I struggle to switch them off sometimes.

OP posts:

Original poster

Thingsthatgo · 11/02/2023 16:11

@MyView2 that does weirdly help.... if I can survive the first 10 seconds I'll feel reassured

OP posts:

Lcb123 · 11/02/2023 16:12

I’m very rational so what helps me not to be nevous is reading about how statistically rare plane crashes are. Your drive to the airport will be much statistically riskier. Download your fave shows on a tablet if you can, and watch on headphones as soon as you sit down so you’re distracted

uggmum · 11/02/2023 16:14

Valium is your friend. I had it for my first flight as I was very scared. Worked a treat.
My doctor was happy to prescribe it for me.

Lollyloup91 · 11/02/2023 16:15

So I used to be prettified of flying and I know exactly how you feel.

A few tips I have:

when you take off remember that the plan is shaped in a way that it would be impossible for it to stay on the ground, it HAS to take off.
after take off and you're on the way up you'll always hear a ding ding, this is just a signal to the air hostesses that they can get ready to move about, it's not a secret message to say something's wrong (I used to think this!)
alcohol can help massively, enjoy the drinks/snacks trolly
remind yourself how is it sooo much safer than the method you used to travel to the airport

Good luck OP - I also found flying more often really helps x

Riverhousepuppy · 11/02/2023 16:16

I suggest downloading a Netflix show that you are engrossed in and watching that. The staff have to tell you if something is wrong so if they are just going about their business then all is well. The boosters go on first then they stop using them which means when you reach height it sounds like they are turning something off which they are but they should be.
Definitely have something to watch as it helped me so much and I am a really anxious flyer and it was fine. Statistically it is by far the very safest way to travel. Far far safer than travelling to the airport. It will be absolutely fine

NeverTooLateToSing · 11/02/2023 16:18

I have become more nervous flying in recent years. Once in my seat and the plane starts moving, I just consciously make sure my body is relaxed and that I slow my breathing down. It helps to calm the panicky sensation.

Definitely don’t recommend drinking!

DingDonkey · 11/02/2023 16:20

I've suddenly developed a massive fear of flying. We're doing a 14 hour flight next week and I'm already dreading it. The last time I had a full on panic attack on the outbound flight but managed to keep it under control by double dosing on diphenhydramine sleeping pills. I'm going to try and get a hold of some valium or xanax this week otherwise I'll use the sleeping pills again. It's not great though as I've got my 13 month old to take care of so being doped up on pills is not ideal.

I'll definitely look into hypnotherapy if this coming flight is also awful. I used it for a different phobia previously and it was helpful.

DingDonkey · 11/02/2023 16:23

I have to say I don't find the rationalising about it being the safest form of travel helpful in the slightest. I do find it helpful to focus on the fact that the stewards and stewardesses are still walking around so everything is fine (but then if the captain tells them to be seated that's my cue to freak out).

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